And when my father would tell me I would say to him, ‘Get…
““And when my father would tell me I would say to him, ‘Get to that lake—get my mother there—don’t let it happen again, not this time. Just once let’s tell it: how you got to the lake and built a house of fir boughs.’ And my father became very Chinese then. He said, There’s more beauty in the truth even if it is dreadful beauty. The storytellers at the city gate twist life so that it looks sweet to the lazy and the stupid and the weak, and this only strengthens their infirmities and teaches nothing, cures nothing, nor does it let the heart soar.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Truth can be painful yet beautiful; storytelling that sugar‑coats reality weakens us.
In simple terms: Hard truth is beautiful; lies weaken.
Key Takeaway
Seek truth, accept its difficulty.
Themes
truth
beauty
storytelling
integrity
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- media consumption
- education
- political discourse
- mental health
Key Concepts
philosophical honesty
literary critique
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you chosen truth over comfort?
- How does storytelling shape belief?
A Different Perspective
Truth may be too harsh for some; confronting it can cause distress.